Massively http://massively.joystiq.com Massively http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Massively http://massively.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[ArenaNet president defends microtransactions and in-game RMT in Guild Wars 2]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/guild-wars-2-president-defends-microtransactions-and-in-game-rmt/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/guild-wars-2-president-defends-microtransactions-and-in-game-rmt/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/22/guild-wars-2-president-defends-microtransactions-and-in-game-rmt/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Guild Wars 2
MMOs have to make money; that's a fact of life (and of business) ArenaNet President Mike O'Brien knows quite well. In an interview with VentureBeat, O'Brien explained how the studio is handling the monetization for Guild Wars 2 and blasts RMT companies for their practices.

O'Brien addressed why Guild Wars 2 is being offered not as a straight free-to-play title but as a retail product with an up-front cost. "The answer is we're really focused on creating the highest-quality MMO, not the lowest-cost MMO," he replied. "I think Guild Wars 2 is one of the best values in gaming, period. Where else can you get this many hours of enjoyment, of content, of polish, of replayability, for $60?"

He also took the opportunity to expand upon his own blog post covering microtransactions from a few weeks ago. "Creating a microtransaction system that doesn't upset or alienate your player base is straightforward, once you clearly define what's in-bounds and what's out-of-bounds," O'Brien stated. He says that ArenaNet wants to be "open and honest" with players regarding the in-game store options and promises that these will be "non-essential additions to the game and convenience services" only.

O'Brien also had strong words about the shady practices of RMT companies, practices that ArenaNet is trying to combat by offering its own in-game RMT system. "Where there's a real profit incentive, someone out there in the world will lie, cheat, and steal to make that profit, " he said. "By letting players trade directly with each other, we take the power away from RMT companies and give it to the entire playerbase."

MassivelyArenaNet president defends microtransactions and in-game RMT in Guild Wars 2 originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 22 May 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anetarenanetbetabusiness-modelbusiness-modelscash-shopfantasyguild-wars-2gw2in-game-storeinterviewitem-shopmicrotransactionMicrotransactionsmike-o-brienmike-obrienmonetizationncsoftreal-money-tradingrmtventurebeatTue, 22 May 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Anvil of Crom: Downgrading an Age of Conan account to F2P]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/21/the-anvil-of-crom-downgrading-an-age-of-conan-account-to-f2p/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/21/the-anvil-of-crom-downgrading-an-age-of-conan-account-to-f2p/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/21/the-anvil-of-crom-downgrading-an-age-of-conan-account-to-f2p/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

The Anvil of Crom - Comparing Age of Conan's free and premium services
As I mentioned last time, I'm currently test-driving the EU servers. As such, my Age of Conan subscription fee is spoken for, and my US server characters are now relegated to free-to-play status. Since I'm still deciding on an EU main (I just rerolled after getting a PoM to 22), I figured I'd use this week's column to take a quick look at my veteran account through the eyes of a free-to-play customer.

When AoC Unchained debuted last summer, I read the account services matrix like everyone else, but to be frank, I didn't pay it much attention because I'd always been a subscriber. In the back of my mind, I figured that anyone who's halfway serious about Age of Conan would want to sub up, and my experiences this weekend have only reinforced that notion.

Continue reading The Anvil of Crom: Downgrading an Age of Conan account to F2P

MassivelyThe Anvil of Crom: Downgrading an Age of Conan account to F2P originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 21 May 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aaa-f2paccount-downgradeage-of-conanage-of-conan-account-downgradeage-of-conan-extended-trialage-of-conan-f2p-matrixage-of-conan-free-vs-premiumage-of-conan-unchainedanvil-of-cromaocaoc-account-downgradeaoc-advanced-ridingaoc-downgradeaoc-mountsaoc-unchainedaoc-veteran-rewardsbusiness-modelsconandowngradef2pf2p-conversionsf2p-matrixf2tfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playfree-to-tryfreemiumfreemium-conversionfuncomgodslayerhyboriakhitaikhitai-f2popinionrise-of-the-godslayerthe-anvil-of-cromtrialunchainedMon, 21 May 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE producer: F2P converts were 'failing,' subs still viable]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/03/eve-producer-f2p-converts-were-failing-subs-still-viable/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/03/eve-producer-f2p-converts-were-failing-subs-still-viable/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/03/eve-producer-f2p-converts-were-failing-subs-still-viable/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

EVE Online - ship trio
The death of the subscription model has been greatly exaggerated, according to CCP. This view isn't terribly surprising if you consider the fact that the company's fortunes ebb and flow with sub-based EVE Online. What is somewhat surprising is the frankness with which EVE producer Jon Lander talks about the free-to-play mania that's gripped western dev studios in recent years.

"You look at the companies who did go free-to-play. They retrofitted it on, and that was because their games were failing. They didn't care about the tiny nugget of players who were still playing, because they knew they would get a huge number of other players and it would be more profitable," Lander told PC Gamer, before going on to explain how such a retrofit would kill EVE's essence.

Overall quality and the desire for long-term play also factor into a title's business model, Lander says. "If you have a really good game [...] and people want to spend a long time playing it, not like a month or two but like EVE players for years at a time, they're prepared to pay a subscription fee for a good quality gaming experience."

He also mentions EVE's PLEX system, which allows for real-world money to be injected into the EVE economy sans shady third-party brokers. And of course, CCP is experimenting with free-to-play via its new DUST 514 shooter, which Lander says was built from the ground up for the new business model. It's not necessarily the future, though. "People say the subscription MMO is dead. I fundamentally disagree with that. It's simply not the case," he says. Hit the jump for video excerpts from the interview.

Continue reading EVE producer: F2P converts were 'failing,' subs still viable

MassivelyEVE producer: F2P converts were 'failing,' subs still viable originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 03 May 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>business-modelsccpccp-gamesconsoledustdust-514eveeve-onlinefpsinternet-spaceshipsinterviewsjon-landermmofpsplaystationplaystation-3ps3sandboxsci-fishooterspreadsheets-onlinevideoThu, 03 May 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Cash rules everything around Pathfinder Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/28/cash-rules-everything-around-pathfinder-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/28/cash-rules-everything-around-pathfinder-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/28/cash-rules-everything-around-pathfinder-online/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Hey, pretend money is pretend money.
The latest in the series of Pathfinder Online developer diaries has just recently gone live, and this time it's covering something near and dear to the heart of many gamers: money. Even if you don't play an MMO specifically for the size of your bankroll, everyone likes having cash to spend and money in the bank. The diary explains that the heart of the game's economic system will be a currency known simply as coin, which is meant to be the driving force behind the virtual economy in-place.

Beyond the basics of the game's economic theory, however, the entry also reveals something of the game's business model, explaining that players will also be able to spend real money to purchase Skymetal Bits. These Bits work as microtransaction currency, running the gamut of the usual microtransaction services (skill training, cosmetic items, special content, and so forth). If you've been following the game along thus far, you'll probably want to see what information the latest entry is providing.

MassivelyCash rules everything around Pathfinder Online originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 28 Mar 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>business-modelscasheconomieseconomyfantasygoblinworksmicrotransactionsmoneypathfinderpathfinder-onlinepnpsandboxsandparkvirtual-economiesWed, 28 Mar 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ngmoco exec: Free-to-play is not exploitative]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/28/ngmoco-exec-free-to-play-is-not-exploitative/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/28/ngmoco-exec-free-to-play-is-not-exploitative/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/28/ngmoco-exec-free-to-play-is-not-exploitative/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

F2P Summit
Delivering the keynote address at the current Free to Play Summit in London, Ngmoco Sweden General Manager Ben Cousins came out in strong support of the business model. He said that his response to people asking if F2P takes advantage of players is always the same: "Any business model where 95 percent of people who don't pay cannot be exploitative."

As most F2P players never spend money in such games and tend to play the most, Cousins thinks that the model works in favor of the gamer. He also stated that freemium games are not set up to trick people into paying, saying that it's "ineffective" if that is the case as a vast majority resists doing so.

Cousins addressed the news stories of people who dangerously splurge on in-game purchases as a rarity: "I've never come across a big spender on a free-to-play game who has maxed out their credit cards. The big spenders I've met generally know what they're doing. Even the $5,000 spenders are not being exploited, they are just people who have found their big hobby."

Ngmoco publishes freemium titles on the iOS and Android platforms, including games like We Rule and We City.

MassivelyNgmoco exec: Free-to-play is not exploitative originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 28 Mar 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ben-cousinsbusiness-modelbusiness-modelsf2pf2p-summitfree-to-playfree-to-play-summitfreemiumin-app-purchaseskeynote-addressngmocongmoco-swedenwe-citywe-ruleWed, 28 Mar 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Blade & Soul nearing commercial release, adding Summoner class]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/23/blade-and-soul-nearing-commercial-release-adding-summoner-class/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/23/blade-and-soul-nearing-commercial-release-adding-summoner-class/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/23/blade-and-soul-nearing-commercial-release-adding-summoner-class/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Blade & Soul - nearing commercial release
NCsoft is loath to talk about its Blade & Soul martial arts MMORPG here in the West, so we have to rely on third-party fansites and Chinese/Korean translations for most of our info. The latest such comes courtesy of MMO Culture, and it features an interview from a recent Tencent Games media event with a couple of newsworthy notables.

First up is the fact that upcoming Korean and Chinese Blade & Soul beta phases will feature the new Summoner class. Not much is known in terms of class specifics yet, but the site says that it boasts an "easier" and "more relaxed" playstyle than other classes.

The interview also touches on Blade & Soul's business model and its impending release. Despite the fact that NCsoft titles like Aion and Lineage II have recently committed to free-to-play in North America, the firm isn't talking about any particular Blade & Soul payment model just yet. Finally, MMO Culture reports that Blade & Soul "is currently near the end of the development phase for commercial release," and given the lack of info on a Western client, we expect said release to be exclusive to the Chinese and Korean markets for now.

MassivelyBlade & Soul nearing commercial release, adding Summoner class originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 23 Mar 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betablade-and-soulblade-and-soul-business-modelblade-and-soul-summonerbusiness-modelschinese-betaclassesclosed-betafantasykorean-betamartial-artsmartial-arts-mmoncsoftncsoft-koreasummonertencenttencent-gamesFri, 23 Mar 2012 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[PlanetSide 2's Higby talks resource costs, business models, and more on Reddit]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/23/planetside-2s-higby-talks-resource-costs-business-models-and/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/23/planetside-2s-higby-talks-resource-costs-business-models-and/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/23/planetside-2s-higby-talks-resource-costs-business-models-and/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

PlanetSide 2 - desert canyon concept art
Aside from the big GDC demo earlier this month, mass information dumps regarding PlanetSide 2 have been few and far between. Thankfully, creative director Matt Higby took to Reddit yesterday for an AMA (ask me anything) session that brought a few interesting nuggets to light.

If you're one of the game's hardcore faithful, the talk was more confirmation than revelation, but for casual or newly interested fans, there's a lot of stuff to digest. Among the more interesting bits was the fact that PS2 will use PunkBuster and the fact that all of the game's classes and vehicles will be available from the get-go.

Higby also touched on resource costs for vehicles as well as the fact that the devs want "to create the game first and then build the business model that best services the game, rather than trying to conform the game to some particular business or membership model."

If Reddit's sprawling threads and needle-in-a-haystack nested replies aren't your cup of tea, PlanetSide Universe has collected most of the relevant info on its own discussion boards.

MassivelyPlanetSide 2's Higby talks resource costs, business models, and more on Reddit originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 23 Mar 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>business-modelsclassesfpsmatt-higbymmo-shootermmofpsplanetsideplanetside-2planetside-2-amaplanetside-2-redditps2sandboxsci-fishootersoesonysony-online-entertainmentvehiclesFri, 23 Mar 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Aion producer talks about 3.0 and being truly free]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/21/aion-producer-talks-about-3-0-and-being-truly-free/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/21/aion-producer-talks-about-3-0-and-being-truly-free/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/21/aion-producer-talks-about-3-0-and-being-truly-free/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Games as a whole are really hitting the concept of ascending pretty hard.
The conversion to free-to-play is taking place in less than a month for Aion, and that means an influx of new players along with a massive new update. Producer Adam Christensen recently sat down to record a short video for the fans discussing how the conversion will work, what players can expect in terms of the update's storyline, and what to expect in terms of store offerings once the conversion takes place.

Christensen explains that the primary motivating factor behind the removal of subscriptions was a simple need for players to have a larger influx of other people to group with -- the game plays best with other people, and making the game free-to-play would secure a larger number of people. He also opines at length about features such as housing and the new dungeons coming with patch 3.0. The full video is just past the break, and if it piques your interest, clear a little time away around April 11th to give the game a shot.

Continue reading Aion producer talks about 3.0 and being truly free

MassivelyAion producer talks about 3.0 and being truly free originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 21 Mar 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adam-christensenaionaion-patch-3.0ascensionbusiness-modelscontentf2pfantasyfree-to-playncsoftproducerproducer-interviewtruly-freevideovideosWed, 21 Mar 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Tencent grows its empire with SURA Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/21/tencent-grows-its-empire-with-sura-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/21/tencent-grows-its-empire-with-sura-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/21/tencent-grows-its-empire-with-sura-online/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

SURA Online - Bard shaman girl
If you haven't heard of SURA Online yet, well, consider yourself enlightened. The online action title is renowned for its fast-attack combat system inspired by martial arts cinema, and ThisIsGame reports that SURA has been picked up for worldwide distribution by Chinese mega-publisher Tencent.

SURA boasts three races and six classes, and TIG compares its fighting mechanics to the Tekken series (you can see an official gameplay trailer after the cut, below).

Tencent is a major player in the global MMO market; much of its revenue stems from the sale of virtual goods via its Q Coin currency. Interestingly enough, the company also acquired the ZAM Network in February.

Continue reading Tencent grows its empire with SURA Online

MassivelyTencent grows its empire with SURA Online originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 21 Mar 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>action-mmoaction-rpgbusiness-modelsf2pfantasyfree-to-playmartial-artsmmo-industryq-coinssurasura-onlinetencenttencent-acquires-sura-onlinetencent-gamestencent-owns-zamzamWed, 21 Mar 2012 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[World of Tanks has 20 million registered users, making double-digit million profits monthly]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/19/world-of-tanks-has-20-million-registered-users-making-double-di/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/19/world-of-tanks-has-20-million-registered-users-making-double-di/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/19/world-of-tanks-has-20-million-registered-users-making-double-di/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

World of Tanks - French tank
Wargaming.net is going through quite a growth spurt, and the company's CEO says it's not just about registered user numbers boosted by freeloading players. "We probably have one of the highest payment ratios in the industry, it's around 25 to 30 percent," Victor Kislyi recently told GamesIndustry.biz.

Kislyi also offered up some impressive concurrent user numbers for World of Tanks, including 423,000 simultaneous Russian tankers that he said outstrips the entirety of EVE Online's playerbase.

As for the "pay-to-win" rhetoric often found in World of Tanks internet discussions, Kislyi says it is what it is. "For casual gameplay, which most players do most of the time, people don't usually use gold or expendables. Of course if you want to win a tournament, if you're competitive, if you play clan wars, if you want to be at the top, we think it's appropriate to expect a little bit of money from you because you already spent hundreds of hours in our game and that's much more than the value of any $50 box."

MassivelyWorld of Tanks has 20 million registered users, making double-digit million profits monthly originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 19 Mar 2012 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>business-modelsconcurrent-user-recordconcurrent-usersf2pfree-to-playhistoricalmmo-industrypay-to-winpvptanktanksvictor-kislyiwarwargaming.networld-of-tankswotMon, 19 Mar 2012 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[XLGAMES' Jake Song not interested in consoles]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/14/xlgames-jake-song-not-interested-in-consoles/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/14/xlgames-jake-song-not-interested-in-consoles/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/14/xlgames-jake-song-not-interested-in-consoles/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

XLGAMES founder Jake Song
ArcheAge guru Jake Song weighed in on the future of console games at Seoul's SoGang University yesterday. The XLGAMES founder and Lineage creator was part of a public discussion called "Get All the Game Maniacs Together," and he responded with an emphatic "no" when asked if he plans to develop for consoles.

"[The Korean gaming industry] was able to set up such [a] wonderful environment for online games 15 years ago. So why should we go into the outdated market while so many overseas developers are suffering from learning our online games development experience," he said.

Song explained that the console business model relies on selling third-party software, and he also hinted at the fact that mobile software is both cheaper and comparable to its console counterpart in terms of quality.

MassivelyXLGAMES' Jake Song not interested in consoles originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 14 Mar 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>archeagebusiness-modelsconsoleconsolesget-all-the-game-maniacs-togetherjake-songmmo-industrymobilexlxl-gamesxlgamesWed, 14 Mar 2012 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[GDC 2012: Publishing heavies weigh in on F2P conversions]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/11/gdc-2012-publishing-heavies-weigh-in-on-f2p-conversions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/11/gdc-2012-publishing-heavies-weigh-in-on-f2p-conversions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/11/gdc-2012-publishing-heavies-weigh-in-on-f2p-conversions/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

GDC 2012 logo
Like it or not, free-to-play is rapidly coming to dominate every corner of the gaming industry. While that's good on the surface, it also blurs the line between business and design, and it creates a lot of tension for both consumers and developers who are increasingly faced with the challenges inherent in separating monetary decisions from gameplay decisions.

One of the more interesting GDC 2012 round-tables featured Sony Online Entertainment executive producer Dave Georgeson, NCSoft publishing director Steve Levy, Perfect World VP John Young, GamersFirst monetization director Joe Willmon, and Digi-Capital Limited managing director Tim Merel, all of whom convened for a mind-meld on successfully migrating subscription games to F2P.

As you would expect, the panel was heavy on business-speak, but it also featured plenty of insight into the pricing phenomenon that has become the rule rather than the exception.

Continue reading GDC 2012: Publishing heavies weigh in on F2P conversions

MassivelyGDC 2012: Publishing heavies weigh in on F2P conversions originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 11 Mar 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>business-modelsconconferenceconventiondave-georgesondesignf2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playgame-developers-conferencegame-developers-conference-2012gamersfirstgdcgdc-2012grindjoe-willmonjohn-younglootmmo-industrymonetizationncsoftopinionpanelsperfect-world-entertainmentpolishing-a-turdpwesci-fisoeSony-Online-Entertainmenttim-merelwesternizationSun, 11 Mar 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Aion Europe going F2P on February 28th]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/23/aion-europe-going-f2p-on-february-28th/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/23/aion-europe-going-f2p-on-february-28th/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/23/aion-europe-going-f2p-on-february-28th/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Aion - Cleric casting
We told you earlier this week about Aion's incoming North American free-to-play transition (not to mention a little ditty called Ascension/3.0), but today we've got word that Gameforge AG has released the official date for Aion's European payment plan switcheroo as well.

The change-over will occur simultaneously on February 28th for the English-, German-, and French-language versions of Aion's EU client, and you can download said client right now at the game's official website.

Gameforge also says that the Ascension patch will hit Europe "in the spring," but there are no more specifics. We'll bring you more definitive info from the world of Atreia as soon as we have it.

[Source: Gameforge press release]

MassivelyAion Europe going F2P on February 28th originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 23 Feb 2012 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aionaion-euaion-europeaion-f2paion-free-to-playatreiabusiness-modelsdaevaf2pf2p-conversionfantasyfree-to-playgameforgegameforge-agncsoftpayment-modelsThu, 23 Feb 2012 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: Blizzard embracing F2P for unannounced game]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/23/rumor-blizzard-embracing-f2p-for-unannounced-game/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/23/rumor-blizzard-embracing-f2p-for-unannounced-game/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/23/rumor-blizzard-embracing-f2p-for-unannounced-game/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Blizzard logo
Rumor has it that Blizzard is hopping on the free-to-play crazy train. Develop reports that the company "will embrace free-to-play and will apply the model in an upcoming, as yet unannounced game."

The website says that Blizzard has declined to comment in an official capacity, and the site's source could not provide more details. It's been speculated that World of Warcraft's recent subscription losses, the fact that DOTA is free-to-play, and the game's unlimited free trial though level 20 all indicate a shift in Blizzard's business model mindset.

COO Paul Sams also paid lip service to F2P at BlizzCon last October, saying that F2P "certainly is possible, if we find ourselves in that circumstance, or if we come up with a game where we think that's the right business model, the most appropriate for players to experience it."

Could the long-awaited Project Titan MMO be Blizzard's first F2P offering, or is a completely new title in the works? We'll update you as the story develops.

MassivelyRumor: Blizzard embracing F2P for unannounced game originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 23 Feb 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blizzard-f2pblizzard-f2p-rumorbusiness-modelsf2pfantasyfree-to-playpaul-samsproject-titanrumorrumorssci-fititantitan-f2pWorld-of-WarcraftwowThu, 23 Feb 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[A Mild-Mannered Reporter: You owe me for this]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/22/a-mild-mannered-reporter-you-owe-me-for-this/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/22/a-mild-mannered-reporter-you-owe-me-for-this/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/22/a-mild-mannered-reporter-you-owe-me-for-this/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

A Mild-Mannered Reporter header by A. Fienemann
In a subscription game, the developers have a certain degree of built-in obligation to the playerbase. You pay $15 a month, and while some of that goes toward the simple logistics of running the game, some of that also goes toward keeping the game in development. When you're putting down money, there's a tacit understanding that you are owed something in return. Strictly speaking, we know the only thing we're owed is access to the game, but even that is something.

City of Heroes has entered the realm of free-to-play, though, and that means the expectations of what players are owed has become all kinds of skewed. There's a huge pile of content available to players who haven't paid a cent. What do free players actually deserve in this environment? What do paying players deserve? Where do you draw the line between what should be free for everyone, what should be free for subscribers, and what should just plain cost money?

Continue reading A Mild-Mannered Reporter: You owe me for this

MassivelyA Mild-Mannered Reporter: You owe me for this originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a-mild-manneredbusinessbusiness-modelscity-of-heroescity-of-villainscohcolumncolumnscovcoxentitlementf2pfeaturedfree-to-playncsoftopinionowedowingparagonparagon-studiosreporterWed, 22 Feb 2012 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[CCP touts EVE growth, considers IPO]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/22/ccp-touts-eve-growth-considers-ipo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/22/ccp-touts-eve-growth-considers-ipo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/22/ccp-touts-eve-growth-considers-ipo/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

EVE Online - Minmatar fleet
Despite the commonly held belief that 2011 was a disastrous year for CCP and EVE Online, the firm recently told TechCrunch that its sci-fi sandbox game brought in $66 million in revenue last year.

The website reports that EVE's revenue features a compound annual growth rate of 53 percent, and the title has also generated $300 million in total revenue since its 2003 launch. Interestingly, the article avoids all mention of 2011's Monoclegate brouhaha and the resulting player protests that led CCP to refocus its development plans. It also paints a rosy picture of New Eden's future, and CCP head honcho Hilmar Petursson says an IPO is a possibility.

"We want to be ready for an IPO from a policy standpoint," he explains. "We're quite a substantial company, so we're thinking, OK, what is the next step?"

MassivelyCCP touts EVE growth, considers IPO originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>business-modelsccpccp-gamesccp-ipoeveeve-ipoeve-onlineeve-revenuefinancialhilmar-peturssonmmo-industrynew-edensandboxsci-fiWed, 22 Feb 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Lineage II boasts increased revenue and playerbase following free-to-play transition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/08/lineage-ii-boasts-increased-revenue-and-playerbase-following-fre/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/08/lineage-ii-boasts-increased-revenue-and-playerbase-following-fre/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/08/lineage-ii-boasts-increased-revenue-and-playerbase-following-fre/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Screenshot -- Lineage II
It's been a little over two months now since NCsoft's Lineage II adopted a free-to-play business model that the studio has taken to calling "Truly Free." It would appear the transition went over well for the long-running title, as a new press release boasts that since the change, "[the game] has almost quadrupled its revenue and increased its concurrent player base by more than 800 per cent." Not a bad resurgence for a game that's been kicking around for the better part of eight years now. The studio attributes the success -- at least in part -- to the newly added Path to Awakening feature, "which provides helpful buffs, items and advice to accelerate new characters towards the level cap." If you'd like to get in the game and experience the freshly reinvigorated world of Lineage II for yourself, just click on through to the official site.

[Source: NCsoft press release]

MassivelyLineage II boasts increased revenue and playerbase following free-to-play transition originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>business-modelbusiness-modelseconomyf2pfree-to-playgoddess-of-destructionindustryl2lineage-2lineage-iimmo-industryncsoftpath-to-awakeningtruly-freeWed, 08 Feb 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Turbine: Subscription model isn't dead]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/30/turbine-subscription-model-isnt-dead/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/30/turbine-subscription-model-isnt-dead/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/30/turbine-subscription-model-isnt-dead/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Dungeons and Dragons Online - dark elves
Turbine doesn't think subscription MMOs are dying, which might come as something of a surprise to fans of the pay-as-you-go business model that's spreading like wildfire across the Western MMO landscape.

"It's probably not right to say the subscription MMO is dying, it's probably more right to say the idea of forcing a player to only have one option for having to consume your content -- that's probably dying," says spokesman Adam Mersky in a piece at Eurogamer.

Mersky goes on to say that brave new business models are the norm across the entertainment spectrum, and he also claims that Turbine "certainly pioneered" free-to-play in the online gaming space (though it's worth noting that Funcom introduced a F2P option for Anarchy Online in 2004, five years before Dungeons and Dragons Online took the plunge).

Finally, the Eurogamer piece touches on the upcoming Menace of the Underdark expansion as well as the unnamed "future project" that the company first hinted about in 2009.

MassivelyTurbine: Subscription model isn't dead originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adam-merskybusiness-modelsddodungeons-and-dragons-onlinef2pfantasyfree-to-playmenace-of-the-underdarksubscription-modelturbineTurbine-EntertainmentMon, 30 Jan 2012 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony, CCP 'negotiating PS3 virtual item policy' for DUST 514]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/23/sony-ccp-negotiating-ps3-virtual-item-policy-for-dust-514/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/23/sony-ccp-negotiating-ps3-virtual-item-policy-for-dust-514/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/23/sony-ccp-negotiating-ps3-virtual-item-policy-for-dust-514/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

DUST 514 - planetary concept art
DUST 514 is somewhat revolutionary in that it's attempting to tie together two separate games (on two separate platforms) that take place in the same fictional universe. CCP is also innovating on the backend according to a new article at Develop.

The upcoming EVE Online MMOFPS tie-in will establish universal PlayStation Network microtransaction rules according to CCP CEO Hilmar Petursson. Petursson told Develop that the ongoing CCP/Sony negotiations will ultimately result in the establishment of price tiers for virtual items as well as the revenue split between Sony and third-party devs.

CCP is also exploring retail options for DUST 514, despite early reports that the title would only be available as a digital download. Finally, Petursson tells Develop that the PlayStation Vita version of DUST will "give people access to more asynchronous parts of the game." While he doesn't commit one way or the other, it's possible that the portable version of the game will connect to both the PlayStation 3 and PC versions via EVE's universal ISK currency.

MassivelySony, CCP 'negotiating PS3 virtual item policy' for DUST 514 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 23 Jan 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>business-modelscash-shopccpccp-gamesdustdust-514dust-514-retaileveeve-onlinef2pfpsfree-to-playhilmar-peturssonitem-storemicrotransactionsmmo-shootermmofpsmobilenew-edenplaystation-3playstation-networkplaystation-vitaps3retailsandboxsci-fishootersonyvirtual-item-policyvitaMon, 23 Jan 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Namco executive: F2P titles 'can't be high quality']]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/19/namco-executive-f2p-titles-cant-be-high-quality/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/19/namco-executive-f2p-titles-cant-be-high-quality/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/19/namco-executive-f2p-titles-cant-be-high-quality/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Namco Bandai logo
Just when we thought every game development firm on the planet had jumped on the free-to-play bandwagon, along comes Namco-Bandai and executive Olivier Comte.

The senior vice president recently spoke at the Cloud Gaming Europe conference, and he had some pretty harsh words for the industry's new business model darling. "Free-to-play games can't be high quality," Comte said. "The business model for smaller, easier titles is making an expectation to consumers that is whittling away at AAA development."

He went on to stress that larger companies have to think long-term, and he opined that the proliferation of cheap games is going to be problematic for the industry if the trend continues.

MassivelyNamco executive: F2P titles 'can't be high quality' originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 19 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businessbusiness-modelscloud-gamingcloud-gaming-europef2pfree-to-playmmo-industrynamcoNamco-Bandaiolivier-comteThu, 19 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[RIFT revenues reached $100 million in 2011, Trion secures new funding]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/19/rift-revenues-reached-100-million-in-2011-trion-secures-new-fu/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/19/rift-revenues-reached-100-million-in-2011-trion-secures-new-fu/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/19/rift-revenues-reached-100-million-in-2011-trion-secures-new-fu/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

RIFT - combat gameplay
How successful is RIFT? That's hard to say without knowing how much it cost, but it's safe to assume that Trion executives are smiling after the game generated $100 million in revenue in only 10 months.

CEO Lars Buttler told Reuters that the company is still considering an initial public stock offering, and it has also secured an additional $85 million in funding as it readies RIFT for the South Korean and Chinese gaming markets later this year. Trion is also developing an MMO shooter called Defiance and an MMORTS known as End of Nations.

MassivelyRIFT revenues reached $100 million in 2011, Trion secures new funding originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 19 Jan 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>business-modelsdefianceend-of-nationsfantasyfinancesfundingLars-Buttlermmo-industryriftsci-fitriontrion-worldsThu, 19 Jan 2012 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask Massively: No idea what's coming edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/12/ask-massively-no-idea-whats-coming-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/12/ask-massively-no-idea-whats-coming-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/12/ask-massively-no-idea-whats-coming-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

How did I get here and why do I have a leash?
I don't know what's going to happen next in the MMO industry. I have my guesses, sure, but unless I'm fairly certain, I just don't feel right putting them up here. I certainly would not have ever imagined a world where APB: Reloaded was successful, or one where Lineage II goes free-to-play, and until it was announced, I wouldn't dare dream of WildStar. Heck, half the time I'm not sure I understand what's going on at any given moment, much less several months down the line.

This week's Ask Massively received several questions that require me to be more confident about my predictions than I actually am, but it does contain a question about the future of Aion and a question on the past, present, and future of cheating. If you've got a question you'd like to see answered in a future installment of the column, leave it in the comments below or send it along to ask@massively.com. Questions may be edited slightly for clarity and/or brevity.

Continue reading Ask Massively: No idea what's coming edition

MassivelyAsk Massively: No idea what's coming edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 12 Jan 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aionask-massivelybusiness-modelscheatcheaterscheatingculturef2pfeaturedfree-to-playhumorncsoftopinionpredictionsThu, 12 Jan 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Raph Koster talks about free-to-play models and whales]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/11/raph-koster-talks-about-the-evil-of-free-to-play-models/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/11/raph-koster-talks-about-the-evil-of-free-to-play-models/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/11/raph-koster-talks-about-the-evil-of-free-to-play-models/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

I'm offended at having to keep this game afloat.
The idea of free-to-play business models can prompt a lot of venom from players who are certain that the model, essentially, is a trick. You'll be forced into paying for the game somehow, or you'll be able to pay extra money and walk away with all of the best stuff in the game. Raph Koster has a different view of things from a business standpoint, and he outlines how the free-to-play model works out in practice in a recent blog entry.

Koster explains that you wind up with a handful of players who sink a huge amount of money into the game, while most users (upwards of 60%) never pay a dime. The users who do pay that much money, referred to as "whales," are essentially being treated as if they're in a retail store, compared to the more traditional model where you pay $60 for a game only to find out you don't like it. Whatever your views on the model, it's an interesting look at the changing face of monetizing games and is well worth a read.

MassivelyRaph Koster talks about free-to-play models and whales originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 Jan 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businessbusiness-modelsf2pfree-to-playhybrid-modelindustryindustry-insiderskostermmo-industryopinionpricingraph-kostersubscriptionWed, 11 Jan 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Research firm: SWTOR has 350,000 peak concurrent users]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/03/research-firm-swtor-has-350-000-peak-concurrent-users/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/03/research-firm-swtor-has-350-000-peak-concurrent-users/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/03/research-firm-swtor-has-350-000-peak-concurrent-users/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

How successful is Star Wars: The Old Republic? That's hard to say definitively, but according to Baird Equity Research, BioWare's maiden massively multiplayer voyage is doing just fine. "We view the early success of Star Wars as an indication of a healthy MMO market," said Baird spokesman Colin Sebastian. The firm estimates that TOR has approximately 350,000 peak concurrent users spread across 215 servers (124 in America and 91 in Europe).

That's a far cry from the 491 servers currently in use by World of Warcraft players, and though some analysts and fans expected TOR to compete with Blizzard's subscription king, Cowen and Company says the new title has had "minimal apparent impact" on the market leader.

MassivelyResearch firm: SWTOR has 350,000 peak concurrent users originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 03 Jan 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>baird-equity-researchbiowarebusiness-modelscowen-and-companyea-biowareElectronic-Artspeak-concurrent-usersstar-wars-the-old-republicsubscription-basedswtorthe-old-republictorTue, 03 Jan 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively Exclusive: World of Warplanes producer talks mechanics]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/21/massively-exclusive-world-of-warplanes-producer-talks-mechanics/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/21/massively-exclusive-world-of-warplanes-producer-talks-mechanics/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/21/massively-exclusive-world-of-warplanes-producer-talks-mechanics/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Wargaming.net is working overtime of late, and how could it not? The company is responsible for three separate MMORPGs, beginning with 2011's successful World of Tanks and ending with the recently announced World of Battleships. Sandwiched in the middle is World of Warplanes, an ambitious aerial arcade shooter married to traditional MMO progression mechanics. The game is currently in closed alpha testing and looks to be on track for a 2012 release.

This week saw the release of the game's first advancement tree, and we took the opportunity to ask producer Anton Sitnikov a series of questions covering everything from game mechanics to player perceptions regarding the pay-to-win stigma.

Continue reading Massively Exclusive: World of Warplanes producer talks mechanics

MassivelyMassively Exclusive: World of Warplanes producer talks mechanics originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 21 Dec 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anton-sitnikovaviationbusiness-modelsdamagedamage-modelexclusivef2pfeaturedfree-to-playgame-mechanicshistoricalinterviewinterviewsmassively-exclusivemmo-shooterpay-to-winpayment-modelspvpshooterwargaming.networld-of-warplaneswowpWed, 21 Dec 2011 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Wings Over Atreia: Free 2 pain]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/19/wings-over-atreia-free-2-pain/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/19/wings-over-atreia-free-2-pain/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/19/wings-over-atreia-free-2-pain/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Wings Over Atreia header image
Say what?!?

For the second time in less than a month, NCsoft has shown wanton disregard for my already-prepared comments for the week, derailing the scheduled Wings Over Atreia with some out-of-the-blue announcement. And not just any announcement, but one that can have a profound effect on Aion in the coming months. What is this announcement, you say? Shall I help you out from that rock you've been slumbering under? Why, last Wednesday's bold free-to-play announcement, of course!

Now, before hyperventilation sets in -- either from glee or disgust -- note that there are set parameters to this specific conversion, including first and foremost that it is for the European market only. And while details aren't exactly pouring forth, there are a few tidbits to pass along, just enough to whet the appetite of future F2P Daevas or enrage current ones.

Breathe into the paper bag and join me past the break for a look at the details that have been revealed and some thoughts on those that have not!

Continue reading Wings Over Atreia: Free 2 pain

MassivelyWings Over Atreia: Free 2 pain originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 19 Dec 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aionaion-gamebusiness-model-conversionbusiness-modelscash-shopcash-shopscooldownsf2pf2p-conversionsfeaturedfree-to-playfree-to-play-conversioninstancesnc-softnc-soft-aionncsoftncsoft-aionWings-Over-AtreiaMon, 19 Dec 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Gameforge offers a few Aion F2P details]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/16/gameforge-offers-a-few-aion-f2p-details/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/16/gameforge-offers-a-few-aion-f2p-details/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/16/gameforge-offers-a-few-aion-f2p-details/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Aion - Sorceror and Assassin
Gameforge has released a few details relating to Aion's impending free-to-play conversion. As you know, the business model switch is reserved for the game's European community (for now), so none of these changes will affect the American shards.

Essentially there will be two access levels when the transition occurs in February. New players (or Starters, in Gameforge lingo) get free access to the entire game. Limitations on free play include "reduced access to functions such as the chat and the auction house," though Gameforge has not specified exactly what that means as of yet.

Aion veterans will also enjoy free access to the complete game as well as reduced instance cool-down times and increased PvP coin rewards. There is a cash shop, of course, which will include avatar customization items that may be used to individualize your character. Gameforge's press release also mentions a Gold Pack option that will grant time-limited bonuses, and we'll have more details for you as they become available. In the meantime, check out the official Aion free-to-play website for more on the game's move to F2P.

[Source: Gameforge press release]

MassivelyGameforge offers a few Aion F2P details originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 16 Dec 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>access-levelsaionaion-euaion-europeatreiabusiness-modelscash-shopf2pfantasyfree-to-playgame-mechanicsgameforgegold-packitem-shopncsoftFri, 16 Dec 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Lineage II goes F2P in Europe tomorrow]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/15/lineage-ii-goes-f2p-in-europe-tomorrow/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/15/lineage-ii-goes-f2p-in-europe-tomorrow/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/15/lineage-ii-goes-f2p-in-europe-tomorrow/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Lineage II girl
"What about meeeee," said a bunch of European Lineage II fans as NCsoft's long-running fantasy MMORPG went free-to-play in America a couple of weeks ago. Happily, publisher Innova is stepping up to bring the free version of Aden to the old world beginning on December 16th.

Innova CEO Gevork Sarkisyan says that there's big demand for the PvP-centric fantasy title in Europe. "We have already seen our Lineage II community grow significantly during the beta phases, and we are looking forward to opening the full service to everyone tomorrow," he said via press release.

Lineage II recently launched the largest expansion in its history, and NCsoft is advertising the game as the first "truly free" free-to-play MMORPG on the market.

[Source: Innova press release]

MassivelyLineage II goes F2P in Europe tomorrow originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 15 Dec 2011 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adenbusiness-modelseuropean-releasef2pfantasyfree-to-playgevork-sarkisyaninnovalineage-2lineage-iincsoftpvptruly-freeThu, 15 Dec 2011 12:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Vindicia CEO: MMOs are launching with the wrong business model]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/15/vindicia-ceo-mmos-are-launching-with-the-wrong-business-model/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/15/vindicia-ceo-mmos-are-launching-with-the-wrong-business-model/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/15/vindicia-ceo-mmos-are-launching-with-the-wrong-business-model/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Money
Chances are you've never heard of Gene Hoffman, CEO of Vindicia (which may or may not ring a bell, either). MMO companies have heard of him, though, as he's something of a veteran when it comes to online content distribution and payment models. His industry experience dates back to the founding of eMusic, a subscription-based digital music retailer that popped up in 1998.

Now he advises companies regarding online business models, distribution, and monetization, and he casts a critical eye on the MMO industry and its slow march toward more flexible payment schemes. "Look, some of these MMOs are launching and they're really bad," he tells GamesIndustry.biz. "You don't want to say that too loudly to them, but seriously, these guys need to do a lot more content before they launch. So why not price it that way?"

MassivelyVindicia CEO: MMOs are launching with the wrong business model originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 15 Dec 2011 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>business-modelsflexible-business-modelsgene-hoffmaninterviewsMiscellaneousmmo-industrymmo-launchespayment-modelsvindiciaThu, 15 Dec 2011 10:45:00 EST<![CDATA[APB retail edition to hit store shelves tomorrow [Updated]]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/08/apb-retail-edition-to-hit-store-shelves-tomorrow/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/08/apb-retail-edition-to-hit-store-shelves-tomorrow/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/08/apb-retail-edition-to-hit-store-shelves-tomorrow/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

And you can shoot them!
Would you buy a box set for a free-to-play game? It might seem like an odd question, but GamersFirst is hoping that the answer to that question is "yes" once you see what's being offered with the APB: Reloaded boxed edition. With a suggested retail price of $29.99, the box is set to go on sale starting tomorrow, December 9th, and will be sold at Best Buy, Target, GameStop, and Walmart.

And what do you get when you buy the game? Aside from an installation disc and manual, you get 30 days free of Premium account status and 500 G1 credits for use in the game's microtransaction store. You also get a faction-specific sports car and a special secondary weapon to help ensure that you're never without a holdout in a protracted firefight. Time will tell if this addition to the game's marketing proves profitable for the game under its current business model.

[Source: GamersFirst press release]

[Update: We've since been told that the retail launch of APB: Reloaded has been delayed. The team hopes to have an updated date by Friday, December 16th. We'll update you when we know more!]

MassivelyAPB retail edition to hit store shelves tomorrow [Updated] originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 08 Dec 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>all-points-bulletinall-points-bulletin-reloadedapbapb-reloadedbox-editionbusiness-modelsbusiness-newsf2pfree-to-playgamersfirstnewsretailretail-boxretail-editionThu, 08 Dec 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SOE releases EQII Age of Discovery expansion, Freeport revamp, F2P model]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/06/soe-releases-eqii-age-of-discovery-expansion-freeport-revamp-f/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/06/soe-releases-eqii-age-of-discovery-expansion-freeport-revamp-f/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/06/soe-releases-eqii-age-of-discovery-expansion-freeport-revamp-f/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

EverQuest II - Sinking Sands boss fight
There are big days, and there are big days, and today is definitely the latter when it comes to EverQuest II. First of all, as producer Dave "Smokejumper" Georgeson says in his newly minted producer's letter, "today we stop requiring any sort of payment."

Yes, free-to-play is here (again, and across the board this time). That's just the tip of the iceberg, though. Today also marks the introduction of the much-ballyhooed Freeport revamp along with the rest of Game Update 62, and oh yeah, did we forget to mention the Age of Discovery expansion?

If so, the short version of AoD includes the dungeon-maker tool, mercenaries, the Beastlord class, and a ton of customization and collectible updates sure to make your stay in Norrath even more enjoyable. We could tell you about 20 additional alternate advancement points, a new launchpad and website, new social networking integration, and more, but then you'd have no reason to check out the official forums for yourself. Check out the official AoD trailer after the break.

Continue reading SOE releases EQII Age of Discovery expansion, Freeport revamp, F2P model

MassivelySOE releases EQII Age of Discovery expansion, Freeport revamp, F2P model originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 06 Dec 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-discoverybeastlordbusiness-modelsdave-georgesondungeon-makereq2eqiieverquest-2everquest-iiexpansionsf2pfantasyfree-to-playfreeportfreeport-revampgame-update-62gu-62mercenariessmokejumpersoeSony-Online-EntertainmentvideoTue, 06 Dec 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Nexon's Min Kim on the 'Free2pocalypse']]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/02/nexons-min-kim-on-the-free2pocalypse/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/02/nexons-min-kim-on-the-free2pocalypse/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/02/nexons-min-kim-on-the-free2pocalypse/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Nexon logo
Nexon bigwig Min Kim recently checked in with Gamasutra for a brief interview regarding the state of the company's global free-to-play initiative. In short, business is booming, and while MapleStory was viewed as an oddity when it launched with a F2P model eight years ago, it's now much closer to the norm. "A lot of people laughed at the business model, and now a lot of companies are starting to try to understand it or experiment with it. We've been calling it 'the free2pocalypse.' Every company is looking at it; the market is just way larger," Kim explains.

He also talks a bit about Nexon's new Live Games division, which consolidates the company's operations, marketing, and communications groups into a single entity under his direction. Finally, Kim explains the logic behind the decision to remove Nexon's name from its uber-successful retail store game cards. In a nutshell, the benefits of unifying the virtual item currencies across a diverse selection of games outweighed the name recognition afforded by the Nexon banner.

MassivelyNexon's Min Kim on the 'Free2pocalypse' originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 02 Dec 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>business-modelsf2pfree-to-playfree2pocalypsegame-cardsinterviewskarma-koinkarma-koinslive-gamesmin-kimMiscellaneousnexonnexon-americaretail-store-cardsFri, 02 Dec 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EA-BioWare acquires KlickNation, rebrands it BioWare Social]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/02/ea-bioware-acquires-klicknation-rebrands-it-bioware-social/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/02/ea-bioware-acquires-klicknation-rebrands-it-bioware-social/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/02/ea-bioware-acquires-klicknation-rebrands-it-bioware-social/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

BioWare logo
All the cool kids are into social gaming these days, so it should come as no surprise when some of the bigger gaming firms start testing the waters. BioWare looks to be next on that list according to a report at GamesIndustry.biz that details Electronic Arts' acquisition of KlickNation.

KlickNation operates social games including SuperHero City and Six Gun Galaxy, and while the company's monthly active user base has declined from 1.3 million to 400,000, EA and BioWare see it as a growth opportunity. KlickNation's expertise in building innovative and compelling RPGs for social platforms makes them a seamless tuck-in with the BioWare team at EA," says Ray Muzyka.

The new unit has been renamed BioWare Social, and thus far the company has not announced any concrete plans relating to new or existing titles.

MassivelyEA-BioWare acquires KlickNation, rebrands it BioWare Social originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 02 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bioware-socialbusiness-modelscasualcasual-gamingeaea-biowareelectronic-artsklicknationmmo-industryray-muzykasix-gun-galaxysocialsocial-gamingsuperhero-cityFri, 02 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Kotick questions how SWTOR will benefit EA]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/29/kotick-questions-how-swtor-will-benefit-ea/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/29/kotick-questions-how-swtor-will-benefit-ea/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/29/kotick-questions-how-swtor-will-benefit-ea/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Activision CEO Bobby Kotick and... a flashlight?
Count Activision CEO Bobby Kotick among the doubters when it comes to the financial viability of Star Wars: The Old Republic. The controversial executive mentioned the upcoming MMO in a speech at yesterday's Reuters Media Summit talk, during which he said he's unclear what publisher Electronic Arts stands to gain from the game.

"Lucas is going to be the principal beneficiary of the success of Star Wars," Kotick posited. "We've been in business with Lucas for a long time and the economics will always accrue to the benefit of Lucas, so I don't really understand how the economics work for Electronic Arts."

Kotick went on to say that the odds are stacked against new investors in the massively multiplayer market. "If you look at the history of the people investing in an MMO and achieving success, it's a small number," he said.

MassivelyKotick questions how SWTOR will benefit EA originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 29 Nov 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionActivision-Blizzardbobby-kotickbusiness-modelsmmo-industrysci-fistar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-old-republicTue, 29 Nov 2011 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Bigpoint's €1000 space drone sale clarified]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/28/bigpoints-1000-space-drone-sale-clarified/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/28/bigpoints-1000-space-drone-sale-clarified/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/28/bigpoints-1000-space-drone-sale-clarified/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

DarkOrbit - space droneLast week we told you about Bigpoint's eyebrow-raising sale of a €1,000 virtual space drone. Gamesbrief recently updated its news posting after its readers chimed in with a healthy dose of skepticism regarding the numbers involved in the supposed windfall.

As it turns out, said numbers are likely still impressive, but rather less impressive than the €2 million ($2.7 million) initially surmised. Gamesbrief's correction post states that the drone cannot be bought for real cash, and instead must be purchased with DarkOrbit's Uridium currency, which is available for real money or earned in game. Bigpoint has in fact sold 2,000 of the drones, but not at a direct cost of €1,000 each.

"I no longer think that you can multiply 2,000 10th Drones sold times €1,000 to work out how much revenue Bigpoint made from this single item," Gamesbrief's Nicholas Lovell writes.

MassivelyBigpoint's €1000 space drone sale clarified originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 28 Nov 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bigpointbrowserbrowser-basedbusiness-modelscorrectiondark-orbitdarkorbitdroneexpensive-dronef2pfree-to-playsci-fispace-dronevirtual-itemsMon, 28 Nov 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What's the most you'd spend on a virtual item?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/24/the-daily-grind-whats-the-most-youd-spend-on-a-virtual-item/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/24/the-daily-grind-whats-the-most-youd-spend-on-a-virtual-item/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/24/the-daily-grind-whats-the-most-youd-spend-on-a-virtual-item/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Big pile of money
So Bigpoint is apparently rolling around in piles of money these days, in no small part because of virtual item windfalls like the one resulting from its €1000 DarkOrbit space drone. Expensive cash shop items are nothing new, of course, and whether we're talking about World of Warcraft's $25 sparkle pony or EverQuest II's propensity for making you buy items for each character on your account, companies have figured out that there's a certain segment of the MMO-playing population with a good amount of disposable income.

For today's Daily Grind, we're curious about your cash shop spending limits. In a nutshell, what's the most you've ever spent -- or that you'd be willing to spend -- on a virtual item?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: What's the most you'd spend on a virtual item? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 24 Nov 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bigpointbusiness-modelsdaily-grinddarkorbiteverquest-2everquest-iif2pfree-to-playgame-discussiongamer-discussionmmo-discussionmmo-hot-topicsmmo-issuesmmo-topicsmmorpg-discussionmmorpg-hot-topicsmmorpg-topicsopinionspace-dronetdgthe-daily-grindvirtual-itemsworld-of-warcraftwowThu, 24 Nov 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New Champions Online archetype available in regular and controversial editions]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/23/new-champions-online-archetype-available-in-regular-and-controve/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/23/new-champions-online-archetype-available-in-regular-and-controve/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/23/new-champions-online-archetype-available-in-regular-and-controve/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

In this screenshot, everyone is still on fire, but it's purple. Color is special.
It might seem a little late for a demonic archetype, but Champions Online has still rolled one out into the store. The Scourge is a new ranged archetype focused on poisoning and debuffing the target, with less durability and melee power to balance its slow ranged ramp-up. Like all archetypes, it's free to subscribing players and available for free players in the cash store. But it's also tied to a new grab bag offered in the cash store, which is provoking a few player concerns.

The Cursed Grab Bag, among other things, contains a special token to unlock the Cursed archetype, which is essentially a color-shifted version of the Scourge archetype. Some players are a little concerned about the slippery slope being established here, as the Cursed archetype is not free to subscribers (although color-shifting powers is). As a result, concerns have been raised about what this cosmetic change might mean for future archetypes being released, although as others point out, you can always just change the color if you subscribe to begin with.

MassivelyNew Champions Online archetype available in regular and controversial editions originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 23 Nov 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>archetypesbusiness-modelsc-storecash-shopchampionschampions-onlinecocommunitycontroversycrypticcryptic-champions-onlinecryptic-cocryptic-storecryptic-studiosf2pfree-to-playmicrotransactionsWed, 23 Nov 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Bigpoint sells 2000 virtual space drones for €1000 each]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/23/bigpoint-sells-2000-virtual-space-drones-for-1000-each/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/23/bigpoint-sells-2000-virtual-space-drones-for-1000-each/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/23/bigpoint-sells-2000-virtual-space-drones-for-1000-each/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

DarkOrbit - that is one expensive space drone
Earlier this year Bigpoint made headlines for its pragmatic approach to pay-to-win business models in free-to-play MMOs. Today, Gamesbrief has published a story illustrating just how successful such strategies can be.

Bigpoint recently made a rare space drone available in its DarkOrbit MMO. While this isn't newsworthy in and of itself, what caught our attention was the €1000 price tag. Our eyebrows arched a little higher as Bigpoint producer Simon Davis revealed that upwards of 2000 people bought one of the drones over a four-day period.

If you're counting at home, that's over €2 million (nearly $2.7 million) in four days from a single virtual item.

MassivelyBigpoint sells 2000 virtual space drones for €1000 each originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 23 Nov 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bigpointbrowserbrowser-basedbusiness-modelsdarkorbitf2pfree-to-playmmo-industrypay-2-winpay-to-winsci-fisimon-davisspace-dronesvirtual-itemsWed, 23 Nov 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Analyst downgrades Blizzard stock in anticipation of SWTOR launch]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/21/analyst-downgrades-blizzard-stock-in-anticipation-of-swtor-launc/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/21/analyst-downgrades-blizzard-stock-in-anticipation-of-swtor-launc/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/21/analyst-downgrades-blizzard-stock-in-anticipation-of-swtor-launc/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Sad WoW panda is worried about SWTOR (but he shouldn't be)
Zomg, the sky is falling in Azeroth! OK, not really, but World of Warcraft is heading for troubled waters if you believe an analyst at Lazard Capital Markets. According to a report at Gamespot, Atul Bagga downgraded Activision-Blizzard's stock from "buy" to "neutral" due to the results of a recent online survey that pointed to restlessness among a certain subset of WoW players.

Whether the perceived wanderlust has to do with the game's age (it turns seven this month) or the deafening hype bandwagon that is gathering steam due to next month's Star Wars: The Old Republic debut, the numbers indicated a possible loss of between 900,000 and 1.6 million WoW players following TOR's launch.

MassivelyAnalyst downgrades Blizzard stock in anticipation of SWTOR launch originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 21 Nov 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activision-blizzardanalyst-predictionsbiowareblizzardBlizzard-Entertainmentbusiness-modelseaea-biowareelectronic-artslazardlazard-capital-marketsmmo-industrypredictionsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorWorld-of-WarcraftwowMon, 21 Nov 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Trion hires executives for overseas operations]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/21/trion-hires-executives-for-overseas-operations/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/21/trion-hires-executives-for-overseas-operations/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/21/trion-hires-executives-for-overseas-operations/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Trion logo
Many RIFT and Trion-related comment threads (likely to include this one) are filled with speculation about how the company will fail if it doesn't take its fantasy MMORPG down the free-to-play path trod by many of its competitors.

Meanwhile, the company keeps expanding, with the latest batch of good news centering on new hirings for Trion's overseas operations. According to Gamasutra, the firm recently signed Johnathan Goddard as its new head of European PR. Also joining the team is Jeff Pabst as the new European commerce director. Rounding out the trio is new End of Nations brand director Simon Bull.

The company recently announced that it had raised a truckload of venture capital and that it may file for an IPO.

MassivelyTrion hires executives for overseas operations originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 21 Nov 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bull-is-the-best-pr-name-everbusiness-modelsfantasyhiringjeff-pabstjonathan-goddardmarketingmmo-industryprriftsimon-bulltriontrion-worldtrion-worldsMon, 21 Nov 2011 13:00:00 EST